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21.11.2023
Intrum's Bond Faces Yield Surge Amidst Financing Challenges
Intrum's Bond Faces Yield Surge Amidst Financing Challenges
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Intrum AB contends with financial difficulties, leading to a significant rise in its bond yield, driven by challenges in commercial paper sales, reliance on credit lines, and strategic efforts to manage debt.

The bond in focus is the INTRUM 3.125 15-JUL-2024 EUR (XS1634534017). Over the past month, the bond has witnessed a substantial shift in its yield, surging by 56 basis points to 9.3%.

Yield curve illustration showing the performance of the INTRUM bond (XS1634534017), with a 3.125% coupon, due on July 15, 2024, in Euros.

Swedish debt collector Intrum AB is grappling with funding difficulties, resorting to tapping bank credit lines due to challenges in selling commercial paper. The company disclosed a drawdown on its revolving credit facility to address funding gaps, reporting an 8.7% drop in outstanding commercial paper, amounting to 760 million kronor ($68 million). Benjamin Sabahi, Head of Credit Research at SpreadResearch, highlighted the financing challenge facing Intrum, emphasizing the closure of alternative financing sources, including the commercial paper and bond markets.

Under pressure to reduce debt and cut costs, Intrum has suspended dividend payments and plans to sell assets and exit some markets. Despite a 6% rebound in shares after a 15% slide, longer-maturity bonds are quoted at distressed prices. At the end of Q3, Intrum had drawn down around €1.2 billion of its €1.8 billion revolving credit facility, prompting Fitch Ratings to issue a warning in September.

In a subsequent development on November 13, Intrum signed a 2-year senior secured term loan facility of up to EUR 100 million with an international bank. The loan, priced at 450 basis points over EURIBOR, will be used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing existing debt. CFO Michael Ladurner sees this facility as evidence of Intrum's strategic efforts to de-lever and de-risk the balance sheet, moving towards a more capital-light approach as outlined in their recent Capital Markets Day.

The company's senior unsecured debt is rated as follows: 'BB-' by Fitch, 'B2' by Moody's, and 'BB' by S&P.

About Intrum

Intrum AB, formerly known as Intrum Justitia AB, is a Sweden-based Credit Management Services (CMS) company that operates in Europe and internationally. The company offers diverse credit optimization services, encompassing credit monitoring, decision-making, factoring, and credit information. Additionally, it provides debt collection services, including surveillance and purchase services. The company also delivers payment services such as reminders, payment guarantees, and VAT services. Its e-commerce services cover credit management, payment solutions, and collection services. The suite of accounts receivables services includes invoicing, payment booking, due date monitoring, reminders, and collection services. Furthermore, the company offers financing and portfolio investment services. In 2022, revenues amounted to €1.7 billion. Intrum is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange. As of November 2023, Intrum AB has a market cap of €623.06 million.

This article does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bondfish does not recommend using the data and information provided as the only basis for making any investment decision. You should not make any investment decisions without first conducting your own research and considering your own financial situation.